Governor Jim Gibbons and Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Director Mike Willden announced today that State Health Division, Bureau of Licensure and Certification surveyors have completed 48 of the 50 onsite inspections of Ambulatory Surgery Centers throughout Nevada. Two of the facilities are closed and weren’t inspected: one due to remodeling and the other due to its business license being revoked.

 

Of the 50 facilities: 24 had no deficiencies identified, 17 had minor deficiencies, such as a lack of documentation, two had “medium level” problems, such as sterilization concerns and seven had major infection control problems, such as the reuse of single-dose vials.

 

In all cases where infectious disease control issues were identified, corrections were made immediately, prior to surveyors’ departure, with the exception of one facility, which was not able to comply. In that case the facility was prohibited from performing the procedure in question.

 

“Our goal in conducting these inspections so quickly was to assure the public that their safety is primary and that known medical concerns are addressed,” Governor Gibbons said. “We want to be sure that people can have necessary medical tests conducted in a safe and proper manner. Nevadans should not avoid medical testing for fear of contracting a disease.”

 

To date, 27 centers have received their inspection reports, which have been posted to the Internet at http://health.nv.gov. The remaining 21 facilities will be issued their reports by close of business on Friday, March 21, 2008, and their reports will be posted to the site throughout the day Friday.

 

Even with immediate corrections, all facilities identified with violations have 10 working days to respond to the BLC with a written Plan of Corrections or face administrative sanctions, including license suspension or revocation.

 

“I would like to extend my appreciation to The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention staff and to the nine BLC surveyors from Northern Nevada who spent the week in Southern Nevada assisting in the completion of the Focus Survey process as timely as possible,” Willden said. “The addition of thirteen (CDC and No NV) professional trained surveyors has provided the State with the ability to expedite the inspection process, with the goal of better assuring public safety regarding procedures performed at ASCs throughout Nevada.”

 

The State Health Division has posted the ASC Focus Survey Status results on its website, http://health.nv.gov. The spreadsheet under “ASC Focused Survey Status” provides the names of all of ASCs in Nevada, the most recent survey date for each ASC, status on the current Focus Survey inspections, links to applicable (Statement of Deficiencies) inspection reports and national accreditation information.

Currently, two ASCs are closed, due to either city or county business licensing agencies.

 

Governor Gibbons remains concerned about the ability of patients to access their medical records from these closed facilities; every effort will be made to work with local, state and federal partners to remove any existing barriers.